Trailer Hitch and Bike Rack Recommendations for a 2003 Toyota Avalon

Expert Reply:

There are bike rack solutions for your 2003 Toyota Avalon but a bike rack with a 2 inch shank will not fit. In order to use a trailer hitch mounted bike rack with a 2 inch shank, you would need a trailer hitch with a 2 inch receiver. All of the hitches available for your 2003 Toyota Avalon are Class II with a 1-1/4 inch trailer hitch receiver so a 2 inch bike rack will not fit.

If your Avalon does not already have a trailer hitch, I recommend the Draw-Tite Class II Receiver # 36293. With this hitch installed, you can add a bike rack that is compatible with a 1-1/4 inch trailer hitch. The Swagman Original, # S64351, would be a good choice because it is light weight and compatible with the Class II, 1-1/4 inch trailer hitch. It can also be used on a 2 inch receiver using the included adapter. I have included links to the installation instructions for the hitch and the bike rack for reference.

As another option, you could use an adapter like part # 80303. Because the adapter would add some distance between the rack and the receiver, using the adapter would lower to available tongue weight capacity of the receiver by 50 percent, from 300 lbs to 150 lbs. If the weight of the rack plus the weight of the bikes add up to less than 150 lbs, this would be a valid option.

expert reply by: Michael H